Pullout ash receptacle



Jan. 13, 1970 M. BEURKENS 3,489,478

PULLOUT ASH RECEPTACLE Filed Nov. 16, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ;il1ili j FIG 6 INVENTOR %4 /A Wdfiaaem s ATTORNEYS Jan. 13, 1970 M. BEURKENS PULLOUT ASH RECEPTACLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 16,- 1967 m wNrm INVENTOR Mfr/Maw d um 0v:

ZM, ATTORNEYS Jan. 13, 1970 M. BEURKENS 3,489,478

PULLOUI ASH RECEPTACLE Filed NOV. 16, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 IINVENTOR /%//A/ w/yiuex a s ATTORNEYS 3,489,478 PULLOUT ASH RECEPTACLE Marvin Beurkens, Jenison, Mich., assignor to Applied Arts Division, AGM Industries, Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 16, 1967, Ser. No. 683,559 Int. Cl. B60n 3/08 US. Cl. 312-246 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A new and improved ash tray or receptacle and receiver therefor particularly adapted to use in automobiles wherein the ash tray is removable from the receiver by depression of an interfering release lever and which utilizes rollers retained between the walls of the receiver and receptacle and extending into an operating groove or track and wherein the canting of the axes of the rollers and/ or the slight arcuateness of the grooves or track provides a firming and holding bias for tight vibrationless and smooth running fit and unique retention of the rollers in pallet-like bearing surfaces with tab retainers against fall out. The cross section of the groove engaging periphery of the rollers is such as to provide a buttress against shock forces applied to the receptacle.

The present invention is a new and improved ash receptacle and receiver frame utilizing rollers, intermediate receiver and receptacle, and the receptacle being removable from the receiver by simple depression of a release lever and in which rollers and/or grooves in which the rollers impinge are slightly canted to create an artificial tightening bind or bias allowing a firm holding bias not interfering with a smooth running fit and providing extended vibrationless usage. The present invention also provides a new roller retention structure so that rollers may be replaced without dismantling the receiver and the invention proposes the selective contouring of the roller periphery to provide selected resistance in particular grooves or tracks. The present invention also includes detent provisions for precise location of the receptacle on closure.

The closest prior art known to applicant is summarized in the United States Letters Patent 2,809,877 to W. Hammesfahr and 3,109,688 to F. Middleton. The former patent utilizes V-fianged roller elements secured in a vertical journaled relationship. The journal surrounds the axle stubs and the flange portion of the rollers mate in a V-groove provided in the receptacle drawer sides. The latter patent provides a receiver and an ash receptacle drawer and suspends the ash receptacle on a plurality of balls in pockets provided in the receiver walls.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a stressed roller suspension by slightly canting the axes of the rollers and hence providing a tight but smooth rolling fit as between grooves and rollers.

Another object is to provide a roller retaining means formed from the stock of the receiver wall and which cradles the shaft ends of the roller, and tabelements intermediate the pallet journals are integrally formed from the wall stock to loosely retain the rollers themselves against drop out.

Still another object is to provide a smooth fitting and long life ash receptacle which is easily withdrawn and reinserted by selective depression of a simple lever and which detents to secure position on closure.

Another object is to provide an ash receptacle structure which materially extends the ease of mounting and provides a selective range of roller cross section. Collaterally, it will be appreciated that by reason of the simple mecha- United States Patent M 3,489,478 Patented Jan. 13, 1970 nism character that new aesthetic and design parameters are provided allowing arcuate roll out of the ash drawer and variations of trim form.

Other objects including simplified construction and fabrication economy will be appreciated as the description proceeds.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION The ash receptacle is a drawer-like structure secured for extension and retraction in a generally U-shaped frame or receiver. The receiver is secured to suitable framework within the dash panel, for example, of an automobile. The receiver never touches the ash receptacle except in a stop relation to determine the limits of insertion and stops also provide a releasable restriction against full withdrawal. Rollers are interposed between the receiver and the ash receptacle and while preferably the rollers are retained by the receiver frame structure and bridge into a track or groove in the receptacle sides, they may be transposed and retained by the drawer structure and impinge on grooves in the receiver. Such a transposition is operative, but as will be seen the preferred retention of the rollers involves a use of the material forming the side walls or receiver and/0r receptacle and if positioned on the receptacle side walls the small openings may be objectionable since the drawer structure is primarily intended to receive ashes and other debris.

The rollers include stub shaft portions which are pallet cradled top and bottom by stock formed from the sides of the receiver and in resistance to side thrust. Keeper tabs are provided intermediate the pallet journals which peripherally and partially surround the roller and prevent the rollers from dislodging when stress is removed as occurs upon removal of the receptacle. The keeper tabs are also formed from the receiver material and on assembly are bent open for insertion of the rollers in the pallets or cradle straps and the tabs are then crimped over the roller portions. The rollers are stressed in the grooves of the ash receptacle, first by the compression as between the receiver and ash receptacle and also by slight canting of the roller and/or arcuate provisions in the grooves so that the roller to groove relation is slightly askew. This canting provision is slight enough so as not to interfere with a good smooth running fit while sufiicient to firmly secure the receptacle in a stress or bias relation and in avoidance of chance rattling or loosening. The rollers may be made from cast or machined resin selected for good running qualities, resistance to deformation and shock absorptive properties.

Metal shaft with resin roller mid-portion has been used satisfactorily. Integral rollers in metal have also been satisfactorily employed and are unusually quiet in the described invention.

A lever is provided which is formed of spring stock in running contact as between ash receptacle and receiver. The lever in normal use includes a buttress which engages a stop in the receiver and thus limits withdrawal of the ash receptacle from the receiver. When the lever is depressed selectively the buttress avoids the stop and the ash receptacle drawer may be fully withdrawn from the receiver for emptying, cleaning and the like. On replacement, the spring is depressed by running engagement with the receiver and upon release relocates in its stop relation. The tray is biased against chance opening by detenting provisions as between lever and receiver.

The receiver is adapted to simple mounting in an automobile dash as by screws, bolts, rivets or welding and the resiliency as between roller face and receiver sides provides excellent centering of the ash receptacle as between the plural rollers on each side of the structure.

3 IN THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an ash receptacle and receiver in accord with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view of an ash receptacle and receiver element therefor and indicating in phantomline an intermediate position of the ash receptacle during withdrawal.

FIGURE 3 is a cross section front elevation view of the structure shown in FIGURE 2 and taken on the line 33 thereof.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged partial elevation view of the roller of the present invention and indicating the pallet journaling and the tab retention.

FIGURE 5 is a cross section plan view through the roller in its mounting and taken on line 55 of FIG- URE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation view of a modified form of ash receptacle and receiver and indicating the mounting of the rollers in a canted fashion in a relatively straight groove or track.

FIGURE 7 is an exploded perspective view of an ash receptacle and receiver in accord with the present invention and indicating the simplicity of construction and insertion of rollers.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings and more specifically to FIGURE 1, thereof, the ash receptacle and receiver combination 11 in accord with the present invention is shown and includes a frame or receiver element 12 which straddles the movable ash receptacle 13 and the roller elements 14 in grooves 15 provide a track-journal relation as between the receiver 12 and receptacle 13.

The receiver element 12 is generally U-shaped as shown but in some instances may be rectangular to wrap around the receptacle 13. Tabular mounting ears 16 and bosses 17 are provided in the receiver 12 and include slots 18 and 19 respectively to facilitate rigid connection of the frame or receiver 12 to an automotive frame as for example behind the dash panel of an automobile not shown. Side walls 20 and 21 in spaced apart parallel relation depend from the upper side 22 of the frame or receiver 12 and these include roller pockets 14a integrally formed from stock of the respective walls 20 and 21. As will be subsequently observed the roller pockets 14a include retaining means and journal pallets. In addition the axes of the two rollers 14 on each side are in nonparallel relation to each other and While generally such axes are transverse to the projected centerline of the groove 15 they result in a canted condition creating a slight imbalance or bias in the rollers 14 and resulting in a firm but rolling guiding grip on the receptacle 13. Hence, the receptacle 13 is intermediate the walls 20 and 21 and is guidably retained by the rollers 14 in the grooves 15.

As shown, the grooves 15 are provided in the side walls 23 of the receptacle 13 and grooves 15 may be arcuate or straight dependent upon the type of projection or extension or withdrawal desired of the tray portion 24 upon withdrawal of the ash receptacle 13. The spring lever 25 extends centrally from the receptacle 13 and upon depression provides means to disengage a stop shoulder (not shown) from abutment against the stop elements 26 depending from the front edge of the receiver 12. A butt snubber bar 27 is provided across the front of the tray portion 24 of the ash receptacle 13. The facing 28 of the receptacle 13 may be styled to match interior decor of the dash panel (not shown). The facing 28 as shown is die cast but may be stamping to which decorative trim covers are attached as well known in the art.

The receiver 12 is formed from flat or sheet stock and is punched, pierced and lanced as in normal progressive die operations into the desired form and the construction shown usingstiffening bends 29, 30 and 31 allows the use of a relatively light gauge stock. In some automotive installations to meet particular bracketing or holding problems the mounting provisions may be shifted and the receiver 12 may pass completely around the receptacle 13. The depression 32 in the top 22 of the receiver 12 will be seen to perform a detent restraint function against chance withdrawal of the ash receptacle.

By reference to FIGURE 2, where the ash receptacle 13 is shown partially withdrawn at 13b in phantom line, the rollers 14 will be seen slightly canted in the groove 15 and the lever 25 inside the tray 24 is seen as a spring stop engaged with the bump formed by the depression 32 in the top 22 of the receiver 12 when the ash receptacle 13 is fully inserted in the receiver 12. The ash receptacle 13 in its fully closed position is prevented from overrun by the rear flange 33 of the receiver 12. A resilient pad 34 on top of the lever 25 prevents rattling against the bump formed by depression 32 and provides with the lever 25 a resistance against chance withdrawal of the ash receptacle 13. When proper withdrawal pressure is applied to the receptacle 13 the bump of depression 32 acts as a cam against the spring action in the lever 25 and allows the receptacle 13 to be Withdrawn until, as will be appreciated, the stop shoulder 35 engages the interfering stop element 26. Manual depression of the spring lever 25 permits complete withdrawal of the receptacle 13 by virtue of the stop shoulder 35 clearing the stop element 26.

By reference to FIGURE 3 the suspension of the receptacle 13 in the receiver of frame 12 on rollers 14 engaging the grooves or tracks 15 is best seen and the cushion 34 is best seen located behind and engaged with the bump formed by the depression 32. The lever 25 is also visible in cross section with its stop shoulder 35 covered by the resilient bumper shroud 36. The stub shafts 37 of the rollers 14 are seen pallet journaled in journal pockets 38 formed in the sides of the receiver 12.

In FIGURES 4 and 5 the journaling and retention of the rollers 14 is clarified. The rollers 14 comprise a disclike-mid-portion 39 having a peripheral diameter exceeding the diameter of the stub shaft extensions 37 passing axially through the roller 14. The disc-like portion 39 may be a resin tread or the entire roller 14 may be of resin or metal material in cast or machined form. The resin selected should wear well, should have g od resistance against permanent deformation, should have good shock absorbing qualities and is configured to conform in peripheral cross section to the grooves 16 in which the rollers 14 run. The cross section of the roller 14 may also be altered to provide desired resistance to pull out or spring-out as desired by automotive specifications, for example.

The spaced apart side walls 20 and 21 of the receiver 12 are lanced so that the roller retaining tabs 40 can be bent inwardly toward the receptacle 13 as shown best in FIGURES 4 and 5. Aligned pallet-like journal pockets 41 are formed above and below the tabs 40 to nestably receive the stub shafts 37. The tabs 40 are initially bent to the position 40a so that the rollers 14 can be inserted with the axis position of the rollers 14 being determined by the open pallet-like journal pockets 41. Then the tabs 40 are positioned as shown in full line in FIGURE 5 so that the rollers 14 are free to roll on their pallet journals 41 but cannot fall out of position. Since the rollers 14 are in compression intermediate the receiver 12 and receptacle 13 the open pallet journals 41 perform an adequate bearing role and minimize wear on the stub shaft portions 37. In addition the use of the pallet-journals 41 greatly simplifies the manufacture of the bearing and retaining means.

In FIGURE 6 it will be best appreciated by reference to the modified receptacle 42 that the groove 43 in the receiver 45 need not be arcuate as in the case of groove 15 and may be relatively straight and that the axes A and B of the rollers 44 are not parallel to each other. In addition the axes A and B are not at right angles to by the separation of receptacle 13 from frame 12. The

receiver or frame 12 is bolted or affixed behind the dash of an automobile, for example, and comprises a simple stamping as shown or may be modified to suit particular mounting provisions. The rollers 14 have been inserted in their pocket journals 41 and the tabs 40 retain them from drop out. The structure of the frame is rigidified by stiffening bends or by selection of stock thickness, for example, and then the ash receptacle 13 with its grooves is inserted and suspended on the rollers 14. Depression of the lever 25 allows the insertion of the ash receptacle 13 and stops as previously described prevent over insertion and the element 34 in combination with the depression bump 32 secures, in detent manner, the receptacle 13 from chance withdrawal. The receptacle 13 shown is die cast but stampings are also available in which case the trim portions 28 are non-integral with the receptacle walls, while the lever 25, in such instances, is integrally formed from the receptacle stock. The bias resulting from the canting of the roller axes results in smooth performance without rattle over the entire life of the automobile in which it is employed. In the rare instances in which the rollers 14 require replacement this is done by opening the holding tabs 40 and inserting the rollers 14 without damage to the receiver frame 12 and without disconnecting the frame 12 from its mounting in the vehicle. The cross section form of rollers 14 to grooves 15 is determined by the desired resistance to dislodgment of the tray 13 from the rollers 14.

Having thus described specific embodiments of my invention others skilled in the art will appreciate improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art and such improvements, changes and modifications are intended to be included herein limited only by the scope of the hereinafter appended claims.

I claim:

1. An ash receptacle and receiver combination comprising:

a frame element having at least two parallel depending spaced apart side walls;

a receptacle element insertable between said sidewalls in said frame; and

pallet journaled roller elements having axially extending stub shaft portions between each of said side walls of said frame and said receptacle element and supporting said receptacle in said frame, said roller elements secured in one of said frame and receptacle elements by tabs formed from said latter elements and encircling the mid portion of each of said rollers.

2. An ash receptacle combination comprising:

a receiver frame including two spaced apart parallel side walls;

a pair of spaced apart rollers having axially extending stub shaft portions pallet journaled in said side walls and said rollers secured against dislodgment 'by integral tabs partially encircling the mid portion of each of said rollers; and

a drawer like tray intermediate said side walls having grooves in each tray wall thereof, said grooves nestably receiving said rollers and outwardly pressing on said rollers.

3. In the combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein the said grooves are arcuate.

4. In the combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein the axes of adjacent rollers in said side Walls are nonparallel and canted in respect to said grooves.

5. A pallet journal mounting for rollers in ash receptacle structures and the like comprising:

a stub shaft extending axially through said rollers;

a side wall retaining said rollers and including a pair of axially aligned pallet journal pockets nestably receiving said stub shaft; and

retaining tabs intermediate said pockets in said side and bendable to selectively secure said rollers against chance dislodgment from said pallet journal pockets.

6. A journaling arrangement for drawer-like devices comprising:

a pair of spaced apart parallel walls and each of said walls defining as a part thereof a plurality of spaced apart axially aligned roller pockets each of said roller pockets having a pair of parallel axially aligned open journals and a lanced opening therebetween, the lanced stock of said walls forming tabs, said open journals facing inwardly and said tabs opening inwardly;

a plurality of identical rollers including axially extending stub shaft portions, said rollers positioned in said lanced openings said stub shaft portions nesting in said open journals, and said tabs bent toward each other and partially around said rollers thereby securing said rollers against dislodgment from said open journals; and

a drawer-like receptacle intermediate said walls and having groove tracks therein, said receptacle depending from said walls by rolling impingement with said rollers in said grooves.

7. In an ash receptacle combination for automobiles and the like, the combination of:

a receiver frame comprising a top portion and at least two parallel depending side wall portions;

a depression in said top portion of said frame;

a grooved tray receptacle insertable intermediate said side walls;

rollers intermediate said side walls and said tray and rollably impinging in said grooves of said tray;.

a depressable lever in said receptacle including a shoulder and a protruding pad, said pad registrably aligned with said depression in said frame whereby said receptacle is detented in position against chance withdrawal; and

stops formed in the receiver frame the rearmost of which interference engages said receptacle against over insertion, and the foremost of which engages a shoulder portion of said lever and preventing chance removal of said receptacle unless said lever is depressed.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,809,877 10/1957 Hammesfahr 312-246 3,109,688 11/1963 Middleton 312246 3,285,683 11/1966 Middleton et al 3l2246 3,295,903 1 1967 Middleton 312-246 3,351,404 1l/1967 Blake 312246 CASMIR A.. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 3l2336, 341 

